by Fiore, L. A.
He didn’t like that; I saw it in his expression, but he didn’t argue. Good, because I wasn’t in the mood. We had a serial killer, a sadistic and otherworldly killer preying on the people of my town. That fucking shit was going to stop.
“I have six bodies, one was ripped apart, one was stabbed through the heart, and one was strangled. The MO is all over the fucking place. I think it might be the signs you warned about signaling the beginning of the end.” I said to Ivy.
She started to pace. “I think you’re right. Evil is infecting humans, both changing them into those creatures, but also taking away their inhibitions allowing those with darkness to act on it.”
“Why?”
“The more chaos it creates, the stronger it grows. The deaths that are more ritualistic, Henry and the McKinnons, I think they’re being selected for a reason.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“Just a feeling.”
“Why those people specifically?”
“I’m not sure, but I think there’s a link between the victims.”
“I can look for a connection between them. It’s unlikely, but Jasmine can run some DNA testing.”
I was looking right at Ivy, so I saw her reaction. Something had come to her, but she kept it to herself.
Pale blue eyes studied me from across the room. “How do you know about the supernatural?” Jareth asked.
“I didn’t. Not until all of this.”
“And that mark?” He gestured to my tattoo.
“Don’t remember having it done.”
“So you play a part and you’re human.” The vampire wasn’t talking to me; he was thinking out loud.
“You got something, Jareth?” Bain asked.
“He’s human, and he’s involved. Maybe humans are playing for the other side too,” Jareth suggested. I hadn’t even thought of that.
“I’ve heard of humans doing the bidding of the supernatural, possibly serving up the victims as a way to appease them,” Bain offered.
“Or they’re controlling the supernatural,” Jareth added.
“Wait, that happens?” I asked, because what the fuck?
“It’s rare, but yeah, it’s happened. It would have to be an especially strong-willed human, and they’d have to have help summoning, but it is possible.”
“For what purpose?” I asked.
“Why do humans do half the things they do?” Jareth was clearly not a fan of humans. “If it is evil manifesting, humans don’t need a reason. Carnage and death would be the purpose, because like Ivy said, with each death, evil gets one step closer to breaking free,” Jareth concluded.
“That’s the important thing to remember. Evil’s minions haven’t left the borders of the city, and I’m guessing they can’t,” Bain said. “At least not yet.”
“Like us, they’re looking for something,” Ivy said.
“Or someone,” Bain added.
“We need to find those pieces,” Ivy countered.
“What pieces?” Jareth asked.
She took something from her pocket as she crossed the room to Jareth. “There are four pieces. Bain has one, so do I. We need the other two.”
He studied what was in her hand. The man was already pale, but he looked even paler. He then said, “I have one.”
The energy in the room was electric. “You do?” Ivy asked.
Bain was across the room faster than I saw him move. “Where is it?”
“Back at my estate. I’ve had it forever, but I don’t remember receiving it. It’s different than that,” he said as he referenced the stones. “It’s jet black, but it has etchings.”
“We need it,” Ivy said.
“I’ll send someone for it. What is it?”
It was Bain who answered him. “It could be the answer to turning this shit around.”
“I’ll send someone tonight.”
Ivy glanced over. There was something in her expression that didn’t quite match the moment. “Three down, one to go.”
“I’m starving,” the big guy standing with Aine said.
“Brock, you’re always starving,” she countered.
“Stay for dinner,” Ivy offered.
“Yeah, sheriff, you should stay.”
Dahlia was doing inventory, which meant I’d be eating alone. “All right. Let me call Cyril.”
“Yeah, the witch too. I’ll start cooking,” Aine said before she disappeared into the kitchen. I wasn’t going to ever live that down.
“Witch?” Jareth asked.
“His deputy is a witch, and he didn’t know,” Brock said teasingly before he followed Aine.
“Why would you? It’s not like humans have embraced the supernatural. It’s been relegated to fiction, books, movies, and television shows, though some of their depictions are quite good. Makes you wonder if their creators don’t have a bit of the mystical in them.” He had the strangest eyes. Pale blue but the color seemed to swirl around the irises. “A witch is a surprise, but you must have blown something learning what Bain is.”
I had a guess about Bain. I chuckled because this was fucking real life.
“Do you know what he is?”
I couldn’t believe I was saying the word. “Werewolf.”
“Lycan, close enough.”
“Lycan?”
“Werewolves are the human interpretation of a lycan. Easier for them to understand if they make what they fear into something they believe they can control.” He looked around. Everyone had gone into the kitchen; the scents were already wafting out to us. Jareth dropped his voice. “I’d never say this to them, but lycans are not dogs or wolves, and they aren’t controllable.”
I had no doubt. Dudes were scary as fuck as humans. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see their other side. “And you’re a vampire. You drink...”
“Yes, we drink it, but we don’t live on blood alone. Again…”
“Human interpretation. You don’t care for humans, do you?”
He didn’t answer right away, and it wasn’t a flippant answer when he did. “My problem with humans is their arrogance coupled with their ignorance. They haven’t a clue about half of what happens in the world they live in, but the more ignorant they are, the more boastful they are about spewing their bullshit. Or there is the other side, believing what they hear without obtaining any facts on their own. They’re either eager to lead when they aren’t qualified to do so, or they follow blindly. Not to mention their blatant disregard for Mother Earth, using up her resources like there is a reset button. There is, but not one they’ll survive, and in all of their arrogance, they haven’t figured that out yet.” He changed, his cool features twisted as his temper stirred. I almost took a step back because he was scary as fuck too. “And their intolerance…they can’t even find harmony among themselves. We’ve allowed them to reach the level of their incompetence.” He paused before he added, “And considering the state of the world, they have definitely reached their level of incompetence.”
“So don’t hold back. Tell me how you really feel.” I couldn’t argue with him because I agreed. Still, I was human.
“It would seem present company is excluded.”
“Do you eat food?”
“Yes. We drink blood, but we aren’t crazed animals driven insane without it. Well, there are a few that can’t control it, but that is rare.”
Great, did I have to worry about these rare vampires becoming a problem, one more thing to add to the shit pot that was this case.
“The act of drinking blood can be very pleasurable for all involved,” Jareth added.
“I’ll take your word for that.”
Everything he did was like in slow motion and so perfectly executed, like the smile that spread over his face. “As you wish.”
Smug or confident, I wondered if I could rattle him a little. I opened my mouth; he stopped me when he hissed, “No, we don’t sparkle.”
He could read my mind? Go team Edward. By the glare he leveled on me, yep,
he could read my mind.
I ate my body weight in food. The supernatural sure knew how to cook. Looking around the table, I couldn’t imagine their grocery bill. Cyril was on his third rack of ribs. He was a big dude, but honestly, where the hell did it go?
“So tell us about your wife, Sheriff. How did you meet?”
“I walked into a café, and she was there. Took my breath away.”
Aine dropped her head on her hand and sighed. “How long have you been together?”
“Since almost the moment I arrived in New Orleans, so eleven years this summer.”
“Ivy said her shop is amazing. How long has she had it?”
“About fifteen years. She used to be a nurse, but she didn’t like being around death all the time.”
“So she married the sheriff of New Orleans,” Brock said and got smacked. He glared at Aine. “Why did you do that?”
“You are tactless.”
“It’s fine. I try to keep the worst of it from her.”
“So she doesn’t know about us?” Jareth asked.
“No, but I need to tell her. She works with the occult; unlike me, she believes.”
“An enlightened human. I’d like to meet her,” Jareth said, his eyes stayed glued to me. He was waiting for my reaction. He was disappointed because I didn’t take the bait.
Aine picked up on the tension and broke it when she said, “I’m going to check out her shop when Ivy’s working again.”
“She has an eye for it. The stock is beautiful,” Ivy added. There was something going on with her, funny how I could read her when I really didn’t know her. Though she made it easy because she wore her emotions like a badge of honor.
“Who’s up for dessert?” Aine asked then disappeared into the kitchen.
Later, after we cleaned up, Ivy walked me out. “I’m glad you stayed.”
“Me too.”
“Please tell Dahlia we’re sorry we missed her.”
“I will. Are you okay?”
She tried brushing it off but stopped herself. “Yeah, I don’t know I just…something about all of this feels...”
“Too easy,” I finished for her.
“Yeah.”
“We don’t have the fourth piece yet, so we have time to work it out before you put them together.”
“Pieces of what?” Cyril asked when he joined us.
Ivy smiled. “How’s your grandmamma?”
“She’s good, thanks. What pieces?”
“Just a symbol, it’s in four pieces. We might have found the third piece.”
“You already have two?” Cyril asked.
“Yeah.”
“What happens when you put it together?”
“Your grandmamma thinks my memories will return.”
“We need those pieces then.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m not on tonight. I might actually get to bed at a reasonable hour. Thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
“Thanks. Later, boss.”
“Good night, Cyril.”
I reached for the car door. “One historian has some information for us. After work on Wednesday, maybe you could stop by the station.”
“Absolutely.”
“Have a good night, Ivy.”
“You too.”
I climbed into the car, turned it on then shook my head and grinned. I just shared a meal with witches, vampires, and lycans. The smile faded because there was more in the world than that, things people needed to be aware of. Things Dahlia needed to be aware of. I had to tell her. I pulled down the drive. Now was as good a time as any.
They were just finishing up when I arrived. Lilith glanced over when I walked in. She really wasn’t a pleasant person. I’d say she had a huge chip on her shoulder, but I wasn’t sure if was anger or if she just liked being contrary.
Dahlia came from the back and a smile spread over her face. She crossed the room to me. “What a nice surprise. How was dinner?”
“Delicious.” I rubbed a few strands of her hair between my fingers. She had the softest hair. “Did you eat?”
“We got some sandwiches.”
“I came to take you home.”
“We’re just about done.”
I strolled around the store. I wasn’t into jewelry, but even to my eye, some of it was really exceptional. A few pieces I could see draped around Dahlia’s lovely neck. I might have to enlist the help of Lilith or Ivy, she’d be more pleasant to work with. “How’s Ivy working out?”
Dahlia immediately turned animated, clearly a fan of Ivy’s. “She’s wonderful, so good with the customers. A natural.”
Lilith looked like she ate a lemon. “You have something to add, Lilith?” I asked just to be difficult. I enjoyed getting a rise out of her.
“She’s fine. Gets the work done.”
“A glowing review.”
Lilith twisted her lips, though I didn’t know if it was a smile or a sneer. “I need to get home,” she said rather abruptly after glancing at the clock.
“I’m calling it a night too. We can finish in the morning.”
Lilith grabbed her cloak because the woman wore a cloak even in the dead of summer. “See you in the morning, Dahlia.” Her exclusion of me in her farewell was on purpose.
“Have a great night, Lilith,” I called after her.
She didn’t acknowledge me, walking out the door, shrugging on her cloak.
“What a lady, so sweet and personable.”
Dahlia chuckled. “Stop. She’s not had an easy life.”
I didn’t know the details; I could have looked her up, but I was respecting her privacy and her relationship with my wife. I did know she had some ugly in her past. I pressed a kiss on Dahlia’s head, “I know, which is why I make allowances for her rudeness.”
Dahlia shut off the lights and locked up. I waited for her, my focus on the street that was pretty light on tourists. Mardi Gras was technically over, but that didn’t stop the tourists from coming and that worried me because there was something lurking and no one knew. How did you tell them about what else lived in the world with them and that there was evil growing and killing? They needed to know. It wasn’t right that these people were clueless that something was hunting them.
“I had another reason for stopping by,” I said.
“Oh yeah.” She pressed up against me, reaching for my hand. “What?”
“The case I’m working on?”
Flirty turned serious. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, but my eyes have been opened, and I think yours need to be too.”
“How so?”
My focus shifted to the person walking up ahead, the familiar black cloak billowing behind them. “Is that Lilith?”
Dahlia turned her attention on the one I was staring at. “It is.”
“Isn’t her house in the other direction?”
“Maybe she has a date,” Dahlia said before she looked at me, trying to control the smile. “Probably not.”
“Wherever she’s going, she’s in a hurry.” I was curious, but more importantly the streets weren’t safe. I wanted to make sure she got to where she was going.
Before I could suggest we follow her, Dahlia was pulling me down the street. “Let’s see where she’s going in such a hurry.”
I couldn’t help the grin. “Great minds.”
The night was cooler than it had been; the break from the heat was a nice reprieve. Enjoying it with Dahlia was just about perfect, but my cop senses were tingling because Lilith was acting odd. Did she know she was being followed?
She reached an alley. I almost called to her, thinking of the woman we’d found in the alley earlier. I picked up the pace.
“What’s wrong?”
“She shouldn’t be walking down dark alleys at night. It isn’t safe.”
We weren’t far behind her when she pulled open a door. Candlelight illuminated the dark. I heard Dahlia’s inhaled breath. The door closed, darkness crept back into the
alley. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“That was a coven meeting,” Dahlia whispered.
My feet stopped, my head snapping to her. “You mean witches?”
“Yeah. I didn’t know she still practiced.”
“Wait. You knew she was a witch?”
I couldn’t see her expression, but I felt it. “Well, duh.”
“Hold that thought,” I said before I moved closer, looking for anything I could pass on to the others. A coven of witches in New Orleans wasn’t unheard of, not based on what I learned tonight, but secret meetings at night…couldn’t hurt to be cautious. There was a symbol carved over the door, a three-headed dog in a pentagram. “Do you recognize this?”
“No, but Cerberus is commanded by Hades.”
“Cerberus?”
“The three-headed dog.”
“How do you…”
“I work with the occult, Josiah.”
I wanted a picture but didn’t want the flash to alert Lilith and her friends we were here. It was an easy enough symbol to explain. I took Dahlia’s hand and pulled her from the alley.
“So, you know about witches.”
“Yes.”
“Would you be surprised to learn they aren’t the only ones?”
It was she who stopped; her eyes wide but not with fear. “Who else?”
“Maybe this conversation is best had with alcohol.”
“Josiah?”
“Lycans.”
Her jaw dropped. “Seriously. Do you know one?” Her eyes were the size of saucers. “Do I?”
“Bain.”
She started to pace back and forth. “I had a lycan in my shop.” She turned to me. “Have you seen him shift?”
“No.”
“What else?”
“Demons.”
Her face paled. “Good demons?”
“Apparently.”
“And?” Her eyes dilated in anticipation. He wasn’t even here, and she was all…fucking vampires.
“Vampires.”
“Holy shit. There are vampires in New Orleans? I want to meet them. All of them.”
“I’m telling you this because it isn’t just them. There’s something out there, Dahlia, something killing. I need you to be very careful.”